Centrifugal liquid separator



T. COLLINS.

CENTRIFUGAL LIQUID SEPARATOR. APPLICATION FILED FEB. a, 1922.

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CENTRIFIJGAL LIQUID SEPARATQR.

APPLICATION FILED, FEB- 6, I922.

' Patented Aug. 22, 1 922.

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, T. COLLINS. CENTMFUGAL uoum SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6. 192?.-

Patented Aug. 22,1922. 1

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STATlE THOMAS COLLINS, 01F BAINBBIDGE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN SEPA- RA'IOR COMPANY, OF BAINBRIDGE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CENTRIFUGAL LIQUID SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

Application filed February 6, 1922. Serial No. 534,427.

T (6H whom it may concern...

Be it known that l, THOMAS COLLINS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Bainbridge, in the county of Chenango and itate of New York, have invented an Improvement in Centrifugal Liquid Separators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a centrifugal liquid separator and more particularly to that type of such apparatus in which in conjunction with the bowl and superimposed liner plates or disks contained therein there is employed acentrally disposed feed tube, a distributing device and a skimming cone, In separators of this type, as heretofore constructed, so far as I am aware, it has been customary to maintain the distributing device in position relatively to the feed tube by the same devices employed to maintain the liner plates or disks in place. As is customary in separators generally the conically disposed liner plates or disks are spaced by separating lugs or ribs and as heretofore associated with the distributing devices due to the unavoidable wear on these spacer ribs or lugs and the limited adjustment ot the devices tor connecting these parts the distributing devices, as well as the liner plates or disks, become more or less loose and have the tendency to unbalance the separator. Obviously the wear on the spacer rib or lug on any liner plate or disk is relatively small. but in the aggregate as many of these liner plates or disks are employed in each separator the adjustment of the devices for se uring the parts in place is not sufficient to take up the wear inasmuch as the joints formed by the connected parts must make a he'meticallv scaled closure. one of the objects cl my in.- vention is to overcome this (:lilliculty and to so secure the distributing devices in place in the separator relatively to the base and teed tube that the same is entirely independent of the liner plates or comically disposed. nested disks.

in carrying out the invention the distributing devices are so constructed as to impart and maintain the revoluble movement of the separator to the liquid prior to being distributed to the liner plates and thereby preventing the liquid from backing up into the teed tube. The feed tube is also so constructed to c use the l quid to fle through the same in such a manner as to prevent the flooding of the feed tube and the overflowing of the same. Furthermore the present invention also includes a cream regulating and discharge construction by which the quantity and density or quality of the cream are controlled and its discharge facilitated by the revoluble motion, that is thecentritfugal action of the apparatus. I may also employ suitable devices for assisting the separator tobe properly centered on the spindle upon which it revolves and to maintain its balance thereon, and all of these features will be hereinafter more particularly described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section illustrating my improved centrifugal liquid separator. I

Fig. 2 isa-section on line 22, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3- is a partial elevation illustrating the features including the cream discharge.

Fig. 4: is a section through the upper end of the neck of the skimming diskalso il1ustratlngthe cream discharge.

Fig. 5 is a plan of the distributing device.

Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal: section of the distributing device.

Fig.7 is apartial inverted plan-of the same.

Fig. 8 is a partial section illustrating another torm of construction of the base of the distributing device, and

F 9 is a partial section showing a form ct. rib which may be employed on theeX- terior of the feed tube.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to 1' to .7 inclusive, the apparatus maderin accordance with this invention preferably comprises a base 10, a bowl 11 and a cap nut 12 such as are customarily employed in similar structures in this art. The base preferably includes an internal flange 13 with a conically disposed face 14 and a hub 10 15. The hub 15 is adapted to rest upon a flange. 16 provided therefor at the lower or inner extremity of a feed tube 17. In a suitable position this feed tube 17 is provided with a partition Wall 18 andis fitted With 105 a sleeve 19' adapted to surround a spindle 20 upon which in operation the apparatus revolves. Also as is customary I may employ a pin 21 extending from the upper end of the spindle 20 into the partition Wall 18 in 110 order to connect the parts in their prearranged positions and also a ball or spherical bearing22 set in a recess provided centrally therefor in the upper end of the spindle and adapted to contact with the under surface of the partition wall or to lie in a recess therein to assist in centering the parts and maintaining a proper balance of the apparatus while rotating. The feed tube is provided with a plurality of spaced longitudinally extendingribs 28 on the outer surface thereof, the purpose of which will be here1nafter described, and the feed tube is also provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs or wings 24 on the inner surface-thereof-in order to prevent the flooding and overflow of the feed tube in the operation of the apparatus.

Associated with the feed tube is a distributing device 25., This is adapted to fit over the feed tube and is provided with a conical base 26 adapted to bear against the face 14: of the conically disposed internal flange 13 of the base 10. The distributing device is fixed in its revoluble relationship to the feed tube by a key 27, or otherwise, arranged between these parts. It will be understood, however, that while I have illustrated and prefer to employ the distributing device With a base as described I do not wish to be limited tothis particular construction as other forms may be employed to equal advantage. As illustrated, however, the peripheral flange at the extremity of the base of the distribuiJ- ing device as illustrated at 28 is adapted to lie within the side or flange 29 of the base 10 and to be engaged with an intervening gasket 30 by the extremity of the bowl 11. The bowl 11, as is also custoi'nary, is provided with a pin '81 adapted to enter a slot 32 provided therefor in the flange 29 to insure the proper position of the bowl relatively to the base in assembling the parts.

The upper end of the distributing device forms a sleeve surrounding and fitting the feed tube and at a predetern'iined distance from its upper or outer end the distributing device is of a materially larger interior diameter than the exterior diameter of the feed tube, as is indicated at 33 forming a shoulder The ribs 23 on the exterior of the'if'e'ed tube do not quite abut against this shoulder 34% and are of such an extent as to contact with the interior surface of the distr'ibutin-g device so as to provide longitudinal passages 35 therein, extending from this shoulder 34 to "thespaced discharge passages 36 in-the base" of the distributing device. In a position intermediate of the ends of these passages and preferably immediately above the partition wall v 18 the feed tube is providedfiwith ports 37 by which the liquid'flows-from; the feed tube to the passages 3 5 and .to; and through the discharge passages 36 in the'base of the distributing device, it being manifest that the liquid in flowing through these passages, due to the ribs defining the same, will acquire the revoluble motion of the apparatus and will have the same maintained While flowing through the passages 36 making it unnecessary for the liquid to acquire this motion after being delivered from the distributing device and thereby effecting a material saving in power required to operate the separator.

lVithin the bowl, as is customary, I employ a plurality of liner plates 38 which are preferably of the nested conical type fitting over the conical base of the distributing dethe next succeeding set. The holes 40 inthe liner plates are so placed that when the liner plates are in position on the distributing device the passages formed by these holes are intermediate of the discharge oriices of the passages 36 and are preferably at the same radial distance from the center of the separator. The liner plates are also provided with spacer ribs or lugs 41. by which the same are properly separated from each other. At the inner edge of each liner plate there is a recess 42, these recesses forming a cream passage 43 at or adjacent the outer surface of the distributing device.

This separator of the type in which a skimming disk is also employed. The skimliningdisk is indicated at -l4- and includes a neck which extends and its in ll'lQ'nQCh. 46 of the bowl. At its upper or outer ertremity the neclr 45 terminates in an in ternal flanged-7 which, as illustrated, does not extend suflicieutly far to onta t with the outer surface of the feed tube. although it may be madeto contact with the outer surface of the feed. tube if so desired as this particular feature forms no part of myii'ivcntion and is relatively ii'i'lmaterial. in suitable positions the neck of the bowl is provided with slots 4-8 for the discharge of the skim milk.

Fitted in the upper end of the neck 45 of the skimming disk I employ a ring 4.9. This ring is preferably split and the ends thereof separated as indicated at '50 so as to be spaced and to form a transverse diagonally disposed pas age 51 for the discharge of the cream. The slotted portion of thering is placed immediately behind a boss or rcinforcement 52 on the outer side of the neck 45 which is adapted to fit in a slot 5? pro vided therefor in the neck of the bowl. In the reinforced. portion 52 of the neck of the skimming dish there is a tapped opening in which is fitted a regulating plug 54 which may be adjusted to position by bein turned as is customary in the art. This ",7 54 extends into the p ige 5i and'the Faces at the ends ot the ring litted witl'i s rew threads to receive the ph forced portion 52 oi the new a cream discharge opening through the same and c minun the passage 51 above the plug position oilset therefrom. 1

The parts of the separator as h ereinbe Fore l n the reindescribed are maintained in position by the cap nut l2 which is tapped to recive the screw threaded end of the feed tube and may he provided with recesses to receive the lugs on a spanner wrench or other tool to secure the cap nut in place and to also ren'iovethe same.

3y reference to ilig. 8, it will be seen that instead of placing the passages 36 at a relatively small acute angle to the TlXlE oil? the separator and so placing the same orifices are ii'iterinediate ot the hole liner plates, l may place these pas at a relatively large acute angle to the axis oi the separator and place them 'in such a position that they lie in substantially the same radial lines the holes 40 in the liner plates in which structure. as w ll beunderstood, the discharge orifices o t the paswith the holes ill but 36 are in line are appreciably below the same.

i'lilsoby reference to 9 it will be se n that the conical base '26 ot the distributing device inay be continuedupwardly in a direct line as indicated at 57 to its point of connection with the cylindrical wall (it the distributing device in which construction there is a. chamber 58 at the lower or inner ends of the passages which the liquid from the passages isdclivered and l which the liquid thus (lelire cd ea sed to pass through ports 0?." 1 59 in the k beneath the cylindrical wall to the r 9 thus so liner plates. These passi.

placed that the discharge ()tlil thwcot are substantially below the holes 4-0 in ie line plates. ln this structure to maintain the revoluble motion acquired by the liquid n the pa, ges 35 the lower ends of the ribs are ex ended to torin a tria alar shape o conform to the cross section or (he chamber 58. la this strru-ture also the disch: e orifi es otthe passages 59 maybe awed interiuediate of the holes in the liie" plates it so desired. v i

It will now be uiulerstood that the disiributingg device is maintained in'position by the engagement of. the Jew]: therewith through the teed tube ancthe. c t and the parts are secured in their relative positionsindependently of the liner plates or disks and the skinnningdislr and creai'n discharge. .iilso that due to the 'iiassa formed between the feed tube and dist f from backing up into the feed tube. The ribs employed on the inner surface o't th feed tube prevent the liquid from flooding or overflowing the teed tube and that by the improved cream discharge the quantity and quality ot the cream may be controlled and its discharge facilitated by the action oi the separator in revolving by means of the transverse and diagonally disposed passage through which the cream is caused to flow to the opening through which it is dis charged.

.l. claim as my invention:

1. in a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl, a feed device, a distributing device, a plurality of liner plates, and means for. securing the distributor device in its longitudinal position independently of the liner plates.

2. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a base for the same, a feed device, a distributing device, a plurality 0t liner plates, and means for securing the distributing device in position between the bowl shell and the base thereof independently of the said liner plates. i

3. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a base therefor, a feed device, a distributing device, a plurality of liner plates, and means torconnecting the bowl shell to the base through the distributing device to secure the latter in position independently of the liner plates.

4:. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a feed tube, a distributing device associated with the teed tube, a plurality of liner plates, and means for securing the distributing device in position through the bowl shell independently ot the liner plates.

5. In a centrifugal. liquid separator, a bowl shell, a base theretor, a feed tube, a distributing device associated with the teed tube and the base oi the bowl shell, a plurality of liner plates, andineans' for securing the distributing devicein position relatively to the feed tube and base of the bowl shellthrough the bowl shell and independently ot the liner plates;

6. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a base therefor having an internal flange, a feed tube, a distributing cevice having base adapted to fit over the internal flange of the base of the bowl shell, a plurality of liner plates, and means tor securing the distributing device in position on the base of the bowl shell through the bowl and independently ot the liner plates. 7 In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl including a shell and a base, the said base having aninternal flange with a conical inner face,a feed tube, a distributing devi base in which there is a fitting over the feed tube and having-a r cesse base in which the internal flange of the bowl. base is received, a plurality of liner plates, and means for securing the distrilniting device in position through the bowl shell independently of the said liner plates.

8. In a Centrifugal. liquid separator, abowl including a shell and a base, the said base having a conically disposed internal flange, a feed tube, a distributingdevice assoriated with the feed tube and having a base in which there is a conical recess adapted to re ceive the conically disposed internal flange of the bowl base, the periphery of the base of the distributing device fitting within the base bowl, a packing between the edge of the bowl shell and the adjacent portion of the base of the distributing device, a plurality of liner plates, and means for securing the distributing device in position through the said bowl shell independently of the liner plates. i

9. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl including a shell and a base, the said base having an internalv conically disposed.

flange, a feed tube, a distributing device associated with the feed tube and havinga conical recess adapted to receive the conically disposed internal flange ofthe bowl base, a flange seat on the feed tube upon which the bowl base is supported, a packing between the bowl shell and the outer portion of the base of the distributing device, a plurality of liner plates, and a cap nut to engage the feed tubeand to coact with the bowl shell to maintain the distributin g device in position independently of the liner plates.

10. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a feed device, a distributing device, and means for securing the distributing device in its longitudinal position through the said bowl shell.

11. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl including a shell and a base, a feed tube, a distributing device adapted to seat on the bowl. base, and means for securingthe distributing device in position relatively to the feed tube through the said bowl shell.

' 12. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl including a'shell and a base, a feed tube, the bowl base being supported on the said feed tube, a distributing device associated with the feed tube and adapted to seat on the bowl base, and means for seeming the distributing device in position. relatively to the feed tube through the said bowl shell and base.- I

13. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl including a shell. and a base, a feed tube, the bowl'base being seated on the said feed tube, an internal flange in the bowl base, a distributing device associated with" the feed tube and having a base-adapted to be seated on the internal flangeoii the bowl base, and

- same beneath the and a plurality means for securing the distributing device in position relatively to the feed tube through the said bowl shell and base.

14;. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a feed tube, a base for the bowl shell seated on the feed tube and having an 15. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a

bowl shell, a feed tube, a plurality of liner plates having openings in alignment therein, and a distributing device for. conveying liquid from the feed tube and delivering the lower liner plate and intermediate of the openings therein. 1.6. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a feed tube, a plurality of liner plates having openings in alignment therein, and a distributing device associated with the feed tube for conveying liquid therefrom and delivering the liquid below the lower liner plate at substantially the same radial distance from the center of the separator as the said openings in the liner plates but intermediate of thesaid openings. I 1

17. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, 2). feed tube, aplurality of liner plates having openings in" alignment'therein, and a distributing device surrounding the said feed tube with spaces between the same and the feed tube and passages at the base thereof for conveying liquid from the feed tube and delivering the same beneath the lower liner plate intermediate of the openings therein.

18. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a.

bowl shell, a feed tube, a plurality of liner plates each having openings in alignment therein, and adistributing device surrounding the said feed tube with spaces between the same and the feed tube and having a conical base .in which there are passages leading from the said spaces so as to convey a liquid from the feed tube through the said spaces and passages and deliver the same beneath the lower'liner plate intermediate of the openings therein.

19. In a centrifugal liquid separator, a bowl shell, a feed tube having ports therein of longitudinally disposed ribs on the outer surface thereof, a plurality of liner plates having openings therein, and a distributing device at its upper end surrounding the said feed tube and bearing upon the ends'of the said ribs, with that portion of the distributing device extending below theends of the said ribs of larger diameter than the feed tube" to rovide spaces between the distributing device and t...e feed'tube and defined by the said ribs for conveying liquid from the said feed tube the same as the outer diameter of the feed tube and the larger diameter providing a space between the distributing device and the feed tube, and a plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs on the outer surface of the feed tube dividing the said space into a corresponding number of passages, there being a similar number or" passages through the base of the distributing device by Which the liquid from the feed tube is conveyed therefrom and delivered beneath the lower liner plate intermediate of the holes therein.

Signed by me this 3rd day of February, 1922.

THOMAS COLLINS. 

